How did Asahi, the Finnish health practice, find its way to New Zealand? Dr. Alison Booth tells how Asahi came into her life when she needed it most.
1. Tell us something about yourself! You seem to be quite a world traveler! Why is it that you live in New Zealand, but have an American accent?
I was born in San Francisco in 1952 but have spent many years of my life exploring the world, after graduating from Berkeley High School. Since 1993, I have been based in New Zealand when my family arrived for a two-year work contract at the University of Auckland and never left. I have traveled to every continent except South America and Antarctica - although I regularly feel the southern chilling winds coming off the continental ice shelf.
2. How did you find out about Asahi, and what was it about Asahi that caught your interest?
In December, I experienced a huge personal trauma, and I am currently working through the grieving process. In March, I was catching up on Zoom with my friend Cyndi, who I met over forty years ago, in Ann Arbor Michigan. She mentioned Asahi as a potential beneficial movement practice that I would enjoy, for integrating my mind and body, and sent a link to the www.asahiworld.com website. I enjoyed practicing Margaret’s free online Module 1 video. I found it very beneficial for overcoming panic attacks but wanted to understand more and refine my practice.
3. What prompted you to do the online teacher training?
Margaret sent me an email to say I was the first person in New Zealand to sign up for the free course. She was curious to know how I found out about Asahi! We easily established the Ann Arbor, Michigan, connection through Cyndi. I mentioned to Margaret that I did not think I was really understanding Asahi and the intentions of the movement by just watching the video. Margaret suggested I start the Level C training, and that was the perfect solution. Currently, I am finding combining Pilates (reformer training at Turning Tides: https://www.turningtidepilates.co.nz), regular walks in the forest and along the local beaches, and Asahi, create pathways for staying physically, spiritually, and mentally whole, thereby feeding my soul. I am also nourished by my amazing friends, family, and community.
4. As an expert on the Indian Diaspora, it only seems logical that you would be more interested in the rich yoga history and traditions than in Asahi, which is based on modern medical science and only has a 20-year history…
My interest in India is driven by my passion for classical India music that started over 50 years ago. I have had the privilege of being part of a large classical music ‘family’. I have travelled extensively in India on academic research trips, family holidays, and for music. Earlier I have practiced yoga to retain a limber body. I am not a follower of Hindi philosophical practices. I like to be multi-disciplined as I do not believe there is ever one way to interpret life. My PhD studies aspects of the Indian diaspora through the collective lens of ethnomusicology, event management, and social anthropology. This has led me to a series of publications: https://otago.academia.edu/AlisonBooth As the great late Ali Akbar Khan said, “It does not matter if it is western or Indian music, if you play in tune, and in rhythm, you feed the soul”. I think feeding the soul is so important.
5. What challenges did you face as you were learning Asahi? Or did Asahi help you through challenges in other aspects of your life?
Doing the online course without others in a class to interact with, I found challenging. I liked the way the modules had been set up, so I kept going through them and was determined to get through the challenges. I needed the benefits of the daily discipline and regular mind body practice. I also needed others to refine the moves, so I started involving friends and neighbours. I used my Pilate teacher’s studio to practice the movements as the mirrors were very helpful. When preparing for the final Zoom encounter with Margaret, this combination of practice was invaluable for preparing the teaching module and memorising the movements.
My academic teaching experience has also proven useful in the certification process. Asahi brought me together with others, has given me a space to centre my mind and body, and has opened a new teaching pathway to explore. Margaret had not heard the term ‘serenity breath’ being used for the intermediate breathing movement that I stumbled upon when studying for my final Zoom encounter. Where did it come from? I think the book, Asahi: The Nordic Health Practice. This was a very helpful addition to my tool kit. I did find variation of practice between the online modules, the book "Asahi: The Nordic Health Practice," and other information. Margaret and I worked through some of the discrepancies in our Zoom meeting. Studying on my own was challenging but I found through approaching it in different ways I overcome the obstacles.
6. At the moment you are about the only person in New Zealand who knows about Asahi. Is that overwhelming? How are you planning to spread the word?
Being the only one is a bit overwhelming. I am also having to move from my home, and the nurturing community I have so learned to love, over the past 22 years. The upside is I am creating my own picture and exploring the pathways in which I want to live.
I am still working through this process but for now, I am thinking of offering a free introductory session in person. Using my big lounge with locals and offering an option on Zoom, I hope to hone the craft of my teaching Asahi and build an interested and engaged community. My new future is still unfolding, and I look forward to what is to come. At that point I will go out further in the community. My Pilates teacher has offered to mentor me in the business practice. Exciting and daunting!
7. Do you have some closing words you would like to share with our readers?
As we age, flexibility and resistance training become so important. Asahi addresses this in such a simple way and can be adapted to all body types. I really like this aspect of inclusiveness. I look forward to continuing to practice in the next decades, and hope I find the community to practice with. I would love to go to Finland or the US for a B certificate. It is a dream I may be able to realize in the next few months - I will wait for spring or summer! I look forward to being part of the Asahi community.
Thank you, Alison, for this interview! We would love to have you come to Finland to meet and work with our head trainers there, or to the US and collaborate with our growing team of American Asahi teachers! [Editor's note: For some mysterious technical reason the text in this blog may appear in different colors. Let's enjoy the diversity of it, since I can't seem to fix it!]
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